Am I thinking straight - I am a D300 user and I still have my old D200 as my back-up camera and was thinking I could more or less trade it for a D5000 - which has video and would be a great lightweight back-up camera?

I have not looked seriously at the D5000 but it seems to me you are trading some new technology and probably better low light performance for the convenience of two bodies that have 95% similar controls, menu settings, and general handling.

Tough trade-off. If you shoot both bodies at the same time it might drive you nuts, like happened to me when I was shooting a D70 and D2H. Just something to consider.

Thanks - sage advice as ever. I had sort of come to that conclusion over the afternoon. Once you've used a D200/300 there would be much to miss on a lower spec body. Additionally the batteries and lenses would be largely incompatible.

I am not ready to let the D200 go just yet. I still prefer the skin tones to those of the D300.

Had the D3000 been spec'ed to include the 12 megapixel DX CMOS sensor I probably would have jumped for one for my younger daughter. I know from personal D200 experience the 10 megapixel CCD sensor is a great one for people and lower ISO, but it doesn't make as good an all-around sensor as the CMOS one for my usage.

Attraction of these smaller cameras for me is a comparatively very small form factor (I would jump for an 18-55VR to go with) for times when I don't want to carry Dnnn series. Therefore a D5000 makes a good alternative camera when you are going to carry one smaller camera (although it is not as small as a D3000). But not so great as a second camera to a D300 for the reasons Neil cites. So depends what usage you intend to make of the D5000. If you could sell D200 buy D5000 for nearly a wash, I might be inclined to say jump for it for sensor reasons and sacrifice the control differences.

Best regards, SteveKMy Nikonians gallery'A camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.' -- Dorothea Lange

As you know from another forum and thread, I am in the same boat. Three times, I took everything out and set everything to take pictures of the D300 to put it up for sale; three times I changed my mind.

I really like the D5000 and it is the camera I would get. DXO Mark, a division of DXO Labs, ranked the D5000 #16, just behind the D90 (#15) and ahead of the D300 (#21.)

I do not how reliable those rankings are, but we can conclude that the D5000 is a pretty good camera. In other words, you cannot go wrong with it. However, this D5000 I would get through my local dealer. As soon as I unbox it, I walk over to their computer and check the serial Number with Nikon to verify it is not on their recall list.

Here is my situation. I have the D700 and D300. My ten lenses are all FX except for three DX lenses: 10.5 Fisheye, 16-85 VR, and 55-200 VR. Most of the times, when going out on a shoot, I opt for the D700. Therefore, what does the D300 gain me? I’m also getting fed up with all the weight I’m carrying. One viable alternative is to go light. Therefore, I would use the D5000 as the light alternative, walk-around camera, and street photography (If I get the D5000, I would also get the DX 35mm f/1.8 – light - and wait for the DX 24mm f/1.8, maybe.) All other type of shooting, the D700 with the one ton lenses.

It makes lots of sense to me; I just cannot pull the trigger. However, if I did not have the D700, the D5000 would not be an option.

Congrats on your new D5000; it is a very nice camera. Keep me posted on how you like it, especially compared to the D300. BTW, the quiet mode is activated through the release screen – it is a Q in a square, but I’m sure you know already.

The X1 and the rumored Nikon counterpart compete, imho, with my D-Lux 4 and not the D5000. They are bit too small for my taste. It is amazing that they put an APS-C sensor in such small body. It all depends on portability, for me. It is the type of camera that I have with all the time.

Silly me - wrong choice of words - I meant literally that I picked it up! I put it down again.. sorry for confusion. But I am still quite tempted - I could pretty much swop the D200 for it...

But a D200 /D300with a 35mm lens is still not any bigger than a D500 with a zoom. When I want small I go prime. the D500 would not AF with my primes.

I did "pick up" a great Billingham Packington bag though! It is great and will double as a business case for overseas trips to more photogenic locations so I can take my D300 with me on the plane. I am going to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Thanks for not getting the D5000; you almost pushed me over the edge. You are right. Every time I get ready to take photos of the D300 and hold the camera without a lens, I desist because it is not thaaaaat heavy.

Going to Sri Lanka on business or pleasure? I have friends from Sri Lanka and it seems to be very nice. They keep telling, besides Colombo, that Kandy is the place to go. It is the ancient capital during the times of the Kings. Most of the irrigation works that dates 2 – 3 thousand years ago, are still in use today. Amazing! Yes, the beaches – they are supposed to be better than the Caribbean ones. One more thing. Do not forget to have some tea there

I gave up dreams of an M9 when I realized bank robbery around here is too risky.

I have the D90 and a Panasonic GH1.

I want something in between just for street shooting.

I'd appreciate a dialogue with you off forum about the D5000 and street shooting (long history in street shooting going way back to being chased by a street vendor in NY when I was 13 and wandering around with the Voigtlander my uncle gave me!)

Viewfinder...autofocus speed....lag on live view....

The quiet shutter and lower weight are the draws but I'm still undecided.